PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Grossman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Afro Samurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Grossman
vs
Samurai

180 cm
32
271 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

198 cm
46
257 lbs
51 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, David Grossman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 51 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Afro Samurai!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That kick from Samurai tenderised Grossman's leg. Grossman is trying to keep his angry face on.

Grossman closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Samurai throws Grossman to one side and escapes!
Grossman blocks a jab.

Grossman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samurai working a defensive guard here.

Grossman drops back, looking for a kneebar! Samurai looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Samurai looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Samurai!

Grossman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Samurai wants to stand but Grossman is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman tries to buck Samurai off but Samurai is having none of it.
Grossman sneaks back into half guard.

Grossman actively working from the bottom here.

Grossman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Samurai pulls his head out easily.

Grossman looking for submissions off his back.
Samurai tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grossman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Samurai tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
We've been hearing good reports from Grossman's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Grossman gets back to full guard.
Samurai wants to get up but he can't break Grossman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Grossman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Grossman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Samurai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Samurai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Grossman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Samurai has managed to get both his arms back between Grossman's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samurai tries to stand but Grossman is controlling from the bottom.

Grossman looking for a guillotine here but Samurai defends easily.

Grossman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samurai defends well.

Grossman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Grossman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Grossman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samurai defends well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Grossman working for submissions but it's allowed Samurai to get to half guard.
Samurai seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Grossman looking for submissions off his back.

Grossman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Grossman wants to sweep but Samurai has passed to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Grossman will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A cross from Samurai lands.
Samurai throws a sloppy head kick and Grossman moves out of range easily.
Grossman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Grossman closes the distance and clinches up with Samurai, looking for a takedown. Grossman pushes Samurai against the ropes but Samurai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Samurai connects with a leg kick. Grossman looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Samurai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grossman.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Grossman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grossman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Samurai connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grossman shoots in but no luck this time.
Samurai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Grossman is out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grossman has his takedown stuffed
and Samurai counters with a straight right hand.
Good shot there by Samurai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samurai digs a good hook to Grossman's body.
Grossman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Samurai tries to avoid it but Grossman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Samurai to the ground. Samurai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Samurai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Grossman on the side of the head.

It looks like David Grossman has been cut.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Samurai. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Samurai tests Grossman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Samurai throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samurai. Grossman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grossman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Samurai connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Grossman scrambles back to his feet.
A jab from Samurai misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Grossman or perhaps it was just good defense by Samurai, which made it look bad.
Samurai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Samurai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grossman.
Good shot there by Samurai.
Samurai scores with a punch to the head.
Samurai misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samurai throws a sloppy head kick and Grossman moves out of range easily.
Grossman shoots in looking for a takedown. Samurai tries to sprawl out of it but Grossman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Samurai manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Samurai lands a head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samurai. Grossman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grossman misses with a takedown
and Samurai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Grossman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Samurai pinned against the ropes. Samurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Samurai misses with an uppercut.
Samurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Grossman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Grossman has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Samurai finds it's way round the side to connect with Grossman's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samurai scores with a jab to the head.
Grossman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Samurai as he avoids it easily.
Samurai tries a head kick but it misses.
Grossman feinted with a counter takedown.
Afro Samurai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Samurai scores with a punch to the head.
Samurai thows a body kick. Grossman tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Samurai lands a front kick.
Samurai has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Samurai.
Grossman shoots and misses
enabling Samurai to counter with a crisp jab.
Grossman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Grossman tries for a takedown but Samurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Samurai smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Samurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samurai lands a front kick.
Samurai feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Grossmans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Samurai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grossman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Grossman moves away from the strike by Samurai.
Samurai scores with the left hand. Grossman knows he should have avoided that one.
Grossman closes the distance and clinches up with Samurai, looking for a takedown. Grossman pushes Samurai against the ropes but Samurai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Samurai throws a hook to the side of Grossman's head but Grossman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Samurai misses with an uppercut.
Grossman shoots in but Samurai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Samurai lands a nice hook to Grossman's body. Grossman takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Grossman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Samurai but Samurai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Samurai lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Grossman takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afro Samurai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Grossman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Samurai looks to score with a jab to the body but Grossman is just out of range.
Grossman on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Samurai stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Samurai wants it to stay on the feet.
Grossman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samurai.
Grossman goes for a double leg but Samurai avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Samurai continues to drive forward.
David Grossman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Samurai lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Grossman takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Samurai cracks the inside of Grossman's front leg.
Samurai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Grossman.
Samurai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grossman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Grossman tries for a takedown but Samurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Grossman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samurai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Grossman 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samurai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grossman dives in and grabs Samurai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Samurai pushes down on Grossman's head and hops out.
Grossman takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Samurai works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Samurai looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Samurai slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Grossman fails with a takedown attempt.
Grossman avoids a kick to the body.
Samurai is looking to slow Grossman down with leg kicks.
Grossman will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Grossman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Grossman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Samurai as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Samurai as Grossman shoots in.
Samurai lands a jab to Grossman's midsection.
Samurai lands a nice looking body kick.
Samurai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Grossman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Samurai as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Grossman with a poor takedown
and Samurai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Afro Samurai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Grossman takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Grossman is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Grossman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Samurai circles away.
Grossman needs to keep his hands up - Samurai had a free shot at his head there.
Samurai misses with an uppercut. Grossman saw that one coming.
Samurai stuffs the takedown attempt from Grossman. Grossman gets slowly back to his feet.
Grossman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Samurai.
Samurai scores with a nice head shot.
Grossman looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice defenses there by Grossman.
Grossman tries to counter with a takedown but Samurai is quick to defend against it.
Samurai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Grossman doesn't seem bothered though.
Grossman with a poor takedown
and Samurai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Samurai. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Samurai.
Samurai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Grossman. Grossman circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Grossman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Grossman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grossman takes a jab right on the kisser.
Samurai lands with a straight right. Grossman didn't see that one coming.
Grossman walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A lazy left from Samurai finds it's target.
Samurai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Grossman gets a double leg takedown into Samurai's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Grossman drops back looking for a leg! Samurai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Samurai manages to kick Grossman off! Grossman jumps back into Samurai's guard.
Grossman passes Samurai's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grossman looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Grossman is trying to work for a kimura but Samurai is defending well.

Grossman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Grossman wants to work for an arm triangle but Samurai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Afro Samurai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Samurai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Afro Samurai!
After winning the bout, Afro Samurai thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.